UPDATE 2-Iran arrests hijacker on Syria-bound plane

TEHRAN Nov 27 (Reuters) - A man linked to
"anti-revolutionary" groups failed on Saturday in his attempt to
hijack an Iran Air passenger plane en route to Syria and was
arrested by security forces on board, news agencies said.

"A man, linked to anti-revolutionary groups, tried to create
an atmosphere of fear and intimidation on board the flight ...
to hijack the plane," Abbas Mosayebi from Iran Air, the national
carrier, told the ISNA student news agency.

Earlier, an official from Iran Air, told the semi-official
Fars news agency that the man suffered from a "mental problem".

The Airbus plane, which had taken off from Tehran, later
landed safely in Damascus, ISNA said, adding that "the suspect
was arrested by the security forces on board."

"The plane later landed safely in (the Syrian capital)
Damascus ... The plane is flying back to Tehran," it reported.
It said no explosives were found on board.

The semi-official Mehr news agency said the hijacker wanted
to hijack the aircraft to another country.

"The case is being investigated by the Intelligence Ministry
and the Revolutionary Guards," Mosayebi said. There were no
further details immediately available.